We offer sympathy to Rachel and John Pannabecker on the death of Rachel’s father, David Habegger, March 30, Elkhart, IN. Rachel writes: “On behalf of the family I send our appreciation for the contributions of the congregation to Dad’s life.” Click here for a link to the obituary: David Habegger obituary

Congratulations to Elizabeth Raid and Gary Franz!
Elizabeth Raid and Gary Franz celebrated their marriage in BCMC chapel last Sunday, March 29th. Rev. June Thomsen officiated with a blessing from Pastor  Dawn. Elizabeth and Gary were former colleagues at the GCMC Newton office and have many common interests, including life long friends, Marv and Ruthann Dirks. They attended the BCMC grief support group. They welcome your prayers. 

The BCMC church retreat that was scheduled for May 2-3, 2020 at Camp Mennoscah has been cancelled.

And… Congratulations to Rebecca and Aaron Tschetter who have the following announcement:
With all the uncertainty and changes in the past month, we are excited to share some happy news with everyone! We are expecting Baby Tschetter in September 2020!

MCC Comforter Fabric Deliveries Available – Hello, Comforter-Makers! We hope you are all staying home and staying safe. We invite you to make comforter tops for MCC! There is a great need for comfort, warmth, and love in the world right now; MCC anticipates an increase in requests for comforters from MCC partners around the world as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts vulnerable and displaced people.

If you would like to work on making comforter tops for Mennonite Central Committee and need fabric to do so, we will deliver it to your doorstep! MCC has bags of color coordinated cotton fabrics that can be made into 60 X 80 comforter tops. A limited amount of pre-cut squares are also available. If you would like a bag (or bags) delivered safely to your house, please email katemast@mcc.org by Wednesday, April 8^th, to get on the delivery list. Already have fabric at home that you’d like to use? Please review the MCC Comforter Guidelines and instructional videos at mcc.org/comforters. Thank you in advance for your stitches!

Camp Mennoscah will be closed at least until April 30 with respect to your health and the statewide Stay Home order.  Camp staff will be working from home and at a distance.  You can reach us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.  Keep in touch on the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page!  We send you many prayers.  Stay healthy!

You can still sign up for summer youth camps!  Camp Mennoscah is planning to have summer youth camps, but recognizing the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 situation, a final decision will be made closer to the start of camps.  Your camp fees, including the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be refunded if camp is canceled.  Further information can be found at www.campmennoscah.org or by calling 620-297-3290. 

With attention to the safety of all, our Retirees Retreat (scheduled for April 20-22) has been cancelled. It has not been determined if the retreat will be rescheduled for a later date. Take a moment over these next weeks, have a personal coffee break, remember a story about Camp Mennoscah, and know we are thinking of you.

Men and Boys Retreat (previously scheduled for April 3-5) at Camp Mennoscah has been rescheduled to September 4-6, 2020! 

The 2020 Camp Mennoscah tee shirt contest ends April 30!  We’re looking for three two-word phrases representing the important parts of Camp Mennoscah. The best combination of phrases will become our camp tee!  One (generic) example would be River play, Campfire songs, Love all.  Be creative!  Send all your stunning ideas to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org!  (Or send a message to the Camp Mennoscah Facebook page.)

Lectionary Texts for March 29:  Lent 5 — Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

In light of what is happening in our community, the women and girls banquet that was scheduled for April 14 has been cancelled. We felt that it was best to reduce the possible risks at this time. Please continue to engage and look after others by social media, and we will look forward to celebrating with each other in our new kitchen and Fellowship Hall space next season.  ~ Women’s Fellowship Executive Board

Our elevator is broken!   The concerning news is that it will cost an estimated $60,000 to repair it.  We will be able to cover the required upfront $15,000 from our plant reserve fund, and still leave $10,000 in that fund.  However, the remaining $45,000 will be due upon completion, hopefully by the first of August.  This unexpected expense comes on top of our decision to renovate the kitchen and fellowship hall.  We have funds in hand to cover nearly all of the basement renovation.  However, a special fund is being set up to meet the remaining cost of repairing the elevator.  Please seriously consider helping with this project, as we have all been inconvenienced by its demise, and are anxious for its return.

BCMC for March 22:  General Fund $6,655; Living Stones $40.00; Women’s Fellowship $494; Plant Fund $175; Flower Fund $7; Bequests $15,000; Elevator Repair $2,000; Maurine Hean Memorial $580.

The giving reports for the first quarter of 2020 will be sent out soon.  If you don’t already receive them via email, please provide your email address to help save postage and time.  Email treasurer@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.  Reports will be mailed if an email address is not on file.

We have not yet decided about Wednesday evening suppers–watch this space for changes. ——–

From 6 pm to 6:15 pm:   The meal serving line will be open to get food, be seated, and begin eating. There will be one basket at the food line to receive donations for supper. Suggested donation is $5 per person or $15 per family. (Proceeds above food expenses go to the Kitchen Fund for supplies and future improvements).  Please bring your own table service.

Wednesday’s menu is Chili, vegetable soup, crackers, cinnamon rolls

Served by the Issues and Christianity Sunday school class

After the meal there will be Chancel Choir, and Chancel Bell rehearsals. No Junior or Cherub Choir rehearsal this week due to school Spring Break and no Journey or Junior High Club this week.

2019 budget update:  The final numbers are in.  Thanks to your generosity and commitment to BCMC, all the goals set as part of the 2019 budget have been met, and we have a surplus of $890!  We are grateful, and look forward to 2020!  ~ Michael Claassen, Finance Manager

December 29, 2019—Christmas One~

9:30 am    A Christmas worship service filled with lots of music and storytelling. No Sunday school following worship. Bring Christmas goodies to share during fellowship time.

January 5, 2020—Epiphany

9:30 am   Worship with sermon by Dawn Yoder Harms; music by Mark Kreider, piano; Andrew Thiesen, trombone

4 pm  Service of Remembrance of BCMC members and friends who died in 2019 — BCMC Sanctuary

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Advent giving project:  The BCMC Witness Commission invites you to
participate in this year’s project benefiting the Bethel College Food Pantry.  List of items needed is on the BCMC bulletin board (on pink paper!)

Communities of Abundance.Today is the beginning of BCMC’s annual Pony Express, a financial commitment process for the 2020 budget, including a blessing as neighborhood captains, appointed by the Finance Committee, come forward during the dedication hymn.  Join the Pony Express by prayerfully anticipating your intentions to give for 2020.  Fill out the intent form when materials arrive at your home, return the form according to the directions in the packet, and pass the packet on to your neighbor. The Pony Express concludes on Nov. 17, when captains return packets during worship. 

Wednesday Night Schedule in Fellowship Hall
From 6 pm to 7:30 pm
From 6 pm to 6:15 pm:   The meal serving line will be open to get food, be seated, and begin eating. There will be one basket at the food line to receive donations for supper. Suggested donation is $5 per person or $15 per family. (Proceeds above food expenses go to the Kitchen Fund for supplies and future improvements).  Please bring your own table service.
At 6:20 pm:  A welcome, announcements and a meal blessing. There are no programs scheduled after these suppers, so come, eat, and relax if you are not going to a club or choir afterwards.  This Wednesday’s supper is Bangers and Mash, carrots, rice krispie bars

Wednesday, October 23 supper:  Coneys, potato salad, chili and cheese, cake and ice cream

Mark your calendars for the installation for the new pastor for pastoral care, Nathan Koontz, Oct. 6.  Following the education hour will be a potluck meal in Fellowship Hall to welcome Nathan and his family to BCMC.  Please bring your own tableware and a dish or two to share at the potluck. The Hospitality Commission would like to welcome our new pastor with another Getting Acquainted Notebook to be presented at the potluck on Oct. 6. Please fill out the cardstock questionnaire found in your mailbox once more (and hopefully for the last time in a long time!) and place it in the box between the mailboxes this week.  Thanks to all in helping Nathan get to know us on a more personal level.

Plan to attend the Sept 29 congregational meeting at 2 pm in the sanctuary.  There will be no potluck meal before this congregational meeting.   A draft policy for the “Care and Accountability for Sexual Offenders” will be presented at this meeting.  After opportunities for discussion September 2019  through April 2020, there will be opportunities for a congregational decision at the April 26 congregational meeting.